"It's not a big age difference," Mandy (above) tells us of her 4-plus-year spread with Miley.

Mandy Jiroux may be on the verge of turning 22, but that’s not too old to be hanging out with 16- year-old Miley Cyrus.

Interviewed on BlogTalkRadio, Mandy dismisses chatter that the four-and-a-half-year age differ- ence between she and Miley makes her a poor role model for the Hannah Montana star – or otherwise impacts their BFF-ship.

“That’s been said for like a year now, since we’ve been really good friends, and it’s not [an issue]. Age is nothing but a number, and as long as you have stuff in comm- on with that friend, I don’t think it really makes a difference,” Mandy – who has been co-starring with Miley in the YouTube hit The Mandy and Miley Show since February 2008 – tells host Zachary Sang.

“Miley’s really mature for her age and we have a lot in common and we care about each other. So that’s all that really matters.”

"She just needed a friend to talk about it with," Mandy says of helping Miley through her painful split with Nick (above).

And when Zach asks Mandy, “Would you say you’re a really good role model for Miley?” she simply replies, “Yes.”

As for differentiating factors, Mandy – who first met Miley while touring with her as a dancer on Miley’s Best of Both Worlds concert tour – is quick to point out that she’s got the poptart beat when it comes to at least one bodily function.

“Jason Earles [who plays Miley’s older brother, Jackson, on Hannah Montana] came on the show. He said that Miley farts on-set and they play farting and burping games. Is there truth to this? Does she fart and burp?” asks Zach.

“Yea – but so does everybody. But I must say, I’m definitely a better burper than she is. I can burp on cue,” says Mandy – before letting one rip.

Mandy also discusses how Miley’s breakup with Nick Jonas brought her and the Disney superstar together.

With Miley (left) on their hit YouTube show, which has racked up nearly 18 million views.

“[It wasn’t] until the last Best of Both Worlds tour when we started becoming really close. She was going through a rough breakup [with Nick]. And I was going through a difficult time with a friend. So we just kind of like found one another and just became best friends,” she says.

“I helped her through a breakup, she helped me with the rough time,” adds Mandy.

“Any girl out there knows that when you go through a serious breakup with a boyfriend, it’s just hurtful. So, you know, you just have to be there for her in every way.”

One of the pals' controversial MySpace pics (Mandy left; Miley right), leaked in March 2008.